Calculations on reloading

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agite12

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I was doing somes calculations about reloading 12 ga shotshell and maybe I'm wrong (actually I do hope I'm wrong and hoping you guys will point out where..) but it just didn't add up.

First I used the load I bought ready made from Le Baron as a benchmark. They were 1 1/8oz #7 1/2, they cost 57$ (wich mean 65.50$ after tax) for 250 wich is roughly 0.26$ per round.

Now for the reloading supply,
-Powder IMR 800-X, 23$, 27$ with tax
-Shot 25 lb, 49$, 57$ with tax,
-Wad 250, 8,25$, 9.50 with tax
-Primer W209, 1000, 48$, 55$ with tax

Now using Lyman Reloading Handbook 5th edition I noted that:
-1 1/8oz, 23grain will cost, 0.35$/rd (1lb powder = 303 ch, 25 lb shot= 355)
-1oz, 21grain will cost, 0.32$ rd (1lb pw= 333, 25 lb shot = 400)
-7/8 oz, 19 grain will cost, 0.31$ rd (1lb pw = 368, 25 lb shot = 457)

Now I wouldn't mind paying the same and working becaus it's kind of fun to do so, but paying MORE??

Please someone prove me wrong....
 
You likely figured correctly, the big loading companies can make them cheaper than we can.
Also, when I played around loading shot shells, the first thing I read about it was the following. They said in rifle or pistol reloading, the reloader always planned on making better ammunition. It said with shotshells, the reloaders always strived to make them as good, or as close as they could get them, to the factory ones.
 
There is no economy in reloading 12 gauge shotshells. There is only a cost saving for uncommon shotshell sizes like 16 or 28 gauge.
 
When the price of lead went up the economy of reloading 12 and 20 gauge disappeared. I have about 30# of #4 shot that I will finish and then be done.
 
And you need a press. Big progressives are nice, but expensive and your time is worth something. This makes the economics even worse. Just buy them.
 
.410 and 28 ga. the savings are signifigant, I like loading 12 because it is nice to shoot skeet with a 7/8 oz load but you are not saving much if any.
 
I load .410 in 3 inch, huge savings. Although I don't use a tremendous amount of rounds for wing shooting practice, it is still my favorite chicken gun. I'm loading at 13 cents per round with shot, powder and primers that I've had for several years, compared to 60 or 70 cents to buy them new. Winchester hulls are averaging over 20 cycles each.

I have my Father's 20 G press and supplies, but I've got cases of ammo to keep me hunting for many more years.

12 gauge is just not worth loading. With mass production, there are no savings at all on lead shot, so unless you load steel for long range ducks n geese its a waste of good time.
 
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